The term "alabaster box" refers to a container made from alabaster, a fine-grained, translucent form of gypsum or calcite, often used in ancient times for storing precious ointments and perfumes. In the Bible, the alabaster box is most notably associated with the anointing of Jesus by a woman, an event recorded in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and John.

Biblical Accounts:

1. Matthew 26:6-13 : In the Gospel of Matthew, the event takes place in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper. A woman approaches Jesus with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume and pours it on His head as He reclines at the table. The disciples express indignation, questioning why the perfume was not sold and the money given to the poor. Jesus responds, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful deed to Me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have Me. By pouring this perfume on Me, she has prepared My body for burial."

2. Mark 14:3-9 : Mark's account similarly describes the setting in Bethany at Simon the leper's house. A woman breaks an alabaster jar and pours the perfume on Jesus' head. Some present express anger over the perceived waste, valuing the perfume at more than three hundred denarii. Jesus defends her actions, stating, "She has done a beautiful deed to Me. She has done what she could; she has anointed My body beforehand for burial."

3. John 12:1-8 : The Gospel of John identifies the woman as Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. The event occurs six days before the Passover, also in Bethany. Mary anoints Jesus' feet with a pint of pure nard, wiping them with her hair. Judas Iscariot objects, citing the potential benefit to the poor. Jesus replies, "Leave her alone; she was intended to keep this perfume for the day of My burial."

Symbolism and Significance:

The alabaster box and its contents symbolize the woman's devotion and recognition of Jesus' impending death and burial. The act of anointing is a profound expression of love, sacrifice, and worship. The costly nature of the perfume underscores the value of Jesus' mission and the woman's understanding of His divine role.

The alabaster box narrative highlights themes of sacrifice, worship, and the acknowledgment of Jesus' messianic identity. The woman's actions are commended by Jesus, who declares that her deed will be remembered wherever the Gospel is preached. This prophetic statement emphasizes the enduring significance of her act of faith and devotion.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In the ancient Near East, alabaster was a prized material for crafting containers for perfumes and ointments due to its ability to preserve the fragrance. The breaking of the alabaster box signifies the totality of the woman's offering, as the act of breaking the jar rendered it unusable for future purposes, symbolizing complete devotion and surrender.

The event's setting in Bethany, a village near Jerusalem, and the presence of notable figures such as Simon the leper and Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead, provide a rich backdrop for understanding the social and relational dynamics at play. The narrative also reflects the tension between earthly concerns, represented by the disciples' focus on monetary value, and spiritual priorities, as exemplified by the woman's act of worship.

Theological Implications:

The alabaster box account invites reflection on the nature of true worship and the cost of discipleship. It challenges believers to consider the depth of their devotion to Christ and the willingness to offer their best in service to Him. The narrative also foreshadows Jesus' sacrificial death and burial, reinforcing the centrality of the cross in the Christian faith.

In summary, the alabaster box serves as a powerful symbol of love, sacrifice, and the recognition of Jesus' redemptive mission, offering timeless lessons on the nature of worship and the call to wholehearted devotion.Mark 14:3-9
And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she broke the box, and poured it on his head.
Topicalbible.org

John 12:3
Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment.
Topicalbible.org

Luke 10:38-42
Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
Topicalbible.org

John 12:1-8
Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.
Topicalbible.org

211. alabastron -- a box of alabaster
... Word Origin of foreign origin Definition a box of alabaster NASB Word
Usage alabaster vial (3), vial (1). alabaster box. Neuter ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/211.htm - 6k

The Alabaster Box
... THE ALABASTER BOX. ... So she caught up her alabaster box, and without questioning herself
about the act, let her heart have its way, and poured it out on Christ. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the alabaster box.htm

Fragrant Graces
... when Christ tabled among men, when he did eat and drink with them, being found in
fashion as a man, the loving spirit broke the alabaster box of precious ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 61 1915/fragrant graces.htm

The Feast at Simon's House
... At great personal sacrifice she had purchased an alabaster box of "ointment
of spikenard, very costly," with which to anoint His body. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 62 the feast at.htm

The Box of Ointment.
... Soon may death overtake us, and the alabaster box be left behind, unused and unemployed;
the dying regret on our lips""Oh that I had done more while I lived ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/xvii the box of ointment.htm

The Defence of Uncalculating Love
... of Simon the leper, 7. There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very
precious ointment, and poured it on His head, as He sat at meat.8. But when ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the defence of uncalculating love.htm

The Blessing of Mercy,
... Mary did not reserve her alabaster box of perfume till her Lord was dead, she filled
the whole house with sweetness where the living Jesus was. ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon xxxix the blessing of.htm

Jesus and the Bethany Sisters.
... Love must be the root. It was easy for Mary to bring her alabaster box, for her
heart was full of overmastering love. Service is the fruit of love. ...
/.../miller/personal friendships of jesus/chapter x jesus and the.htm

A Woman's Memorial
... Or think you that even a Macaulay could have found it in his pen to write down a
story of an eccentric woman, who broke an alabaster box of precious ointment ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/a womans memorial.htm

The Anointing of Jesus.
... The breaking of the alabaster box, the pouring out of Mary's soul in adoration of
her Lord"this was the signal that all was ripe for His departure, this the ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol ii/i the anointing of jesus.htm

Despised and Rejected by Friend and Foe
... And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came
a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard, very precious ...
/.../mark/jesus of nazareth a biography/chapter xiv despised and rejected.htm

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